Best PS2 Games After PS3 Launch: Top 8 Hidden Gems

Summary

PlayStation 3’s launch was rough due to its high price and a weak lineup of games.
After the PS3 release, gems like Rogue Galaxy, King of Fighters 2002, and Odin Sphere came out on PS2.
Games like Persona 3 also came out and helped tide players over before switching to the PS3.

The PlayStation 3 was introduced in November 2006, but it started off rather poorly. Its high launch price of $599 (equivalent to approximately $938 today) and a lackluster selection of initial games were significant drawbacks. Developers found the complex cell processor difficult to work with, and over time, its backward compatibility features became more limited. Initially, only certain models could play PS2 games; later models were only capable of playing PS1 games.

In 2006, if individuals lacked the funds to invest in new gaming systems, they had no choice but to continue using their PlayStation 2 consoles to play their older games. Fortunately, the PS2 lasted longer than expected, providing a smoother farewell compared to the rocky debut of the PS3. Players enjoyed these high-quality PS2 games released post-PS3 launch, eventually upgrading to a PS3 once it regained its footing (unless they switched to Xbox 360, Wii, or PC instead).

8. Rogue Galaxy

Space RPG Takes Over a Year to Reach Global Audiences

Due to the majority of Westerners not importing their games, this list is constructed using the US launch dates for games. Without this approach, Rogue Galaxy wouldn’t be included. Originally released in Japan in December 2005 by Level-5, this action RPG was initially exclusive to Japan. However, what North America and other regions received in 2007 was the game’s upgraded ‘director’s cut’ edition.

The game improved the character animations, introduced new weapons and items, and modified the Burning Strike system, allowing players to decide when to unleash powerful attacks. Despite positive critical reception and some awards, it didn’t sell enough copies to rival games like Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy. Instead, it became a cult classic, appealing to a passionate, specialized fanbase.

7. King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match

SNK’s Nightmare Turns into a Dream Come True

In the King of Fighters collection, they often wrapped up their storylines with a grand ‘dream battle’ game, jam-packing characters from previous installments into one massive event. This approach was successful for KOF ’98, which many fans still regard as the best game in the series. Unfortunately, KOF 2002 fell short due to SNK facing bankruptcy at that time. After regaining stability, they decided to redesign both dream matches for the PlayStation 2.

King of Fighters ’98: Ultimate Match was decent, but didn’t offer much improvement over the original game. On the other hand, King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match was a complete remake, featuring all new stages, music, and characters from King of Fighters 99 to 2002 (excluding K9999), including its challenging boss fights. Although King of Fighters ’98‘s gameplay is stronger, in terms of content, King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match reigns supreme.

6. Odin Sphere

Cult Classic Action RPG Still Offers a Unique Experience Over its Remake

Developer: Vanillaware.
Platform: PlayStation 2.
Release: May 2007.

In the vein of being a spiritual follow-up to the Sega Saturn’s “Princess Crown,” Odin Sphere narrates the tales of five distinct characters across various timeframes, all striving to prevent the cataclysmic end of the continent Erion. It seamlessly blended the adrenaline-pumping speed of side-scrolling beat ’em ups with the depth of role-playing games, where even basic attacks demand enough POW gauge for execution. The game was widely praised for its engaging gameplay and imaginative world creation, which artfully melded fantasy motifs with Shakespearean influences.

Despite not initially captivating a large audience due to the waning popularity of 2D action RPGs in the late 2000s, the game found a new lease on life when its successor, Dragon’s Crown, became popular years later. This revival led to its remake for the PS3 titled Odin Sphere Leifthrasir, which incorporated more elements from Dragon’s Crown and Muramasa: The Demon Blade, focusing more on action, while diminishing the original game’s emphasis on magic and alchemy.

5. GrimGrimoire

Vanillaware’s RTS Beats Harry Potter At His Own Game

The same group of people who had lost interest in Odin Sphere didn’t show any increased interest towards GrimGrimoire. This strategy game bore resemblance to StarCraft, with the main character, Lillet Blan (a new student at the Tower of Silver Star), attempting to thwart the evil wizard Calvaros from obtaining the Philosopher’s Stone. Her best chance of success lies in leveraging a time loop to gain knowledge about the school and its associated families.

Players can regain control of the school by battling Calvaros’ troops, swapping out their runes for new ones that represent various types of magic like necromancy or alchemy. The game received positive reviews but struggled with sales. However, it will be remade in GrimGrimoire Once More, and its concept influenced Vanillaware’s subsequent school-themed RTS, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.

4. Persona 3

Making Persona More Personal with Social Links

Originated from the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona games have expanded beyond their initial foundations, with many people now recognizing the high school-based antics and enigmas more than the grim situations depicted in SMT. Initially, it took some time for the franchise to gain traction, as fans often discovered the later installments first.

In the case of Persona 3, it pioneered social links, a feature where strengthening relationships with certain characters could offer XP bonuses for various Arcana. This element became essential in every subsequent game, including the multiple re-releases of P3. Among these, P3: FES stands out, as it includes an additional epilogue and narrative aspects not found in its PS5 remake, P3: Portable.

3. Persona 4

Persona’s Last PS2 Game Ends Up Reinvigorating the Series

Yet, despite the magnitude of Persona 3, it didn’t garner the same response that Persona 4 did. When initially released, it topped the sales charts on Amazon for a while as the best-selling PS2 game. Its Golden edition also served as a compelling reason to own a PlayStation Vita in 2012. Moreover, its spin-offs, namely P4: Arena and P4: Arena Ultimax, contributed significantly to its recognition as a fighting game.

Traditional enthusiasts might lean towards the dungeon exploration of the initial two games or appreciate the social link approach in P3. However, P4’s blend of life simulation elements and dungeon combat is what truly set it apart from competitors, resonating with a new wave of fans. While not necessarily the best Persona game, it undeniably holds the title of the most popular one.

2. Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs King Abaddon

Save Early 20th Century Japan by Chatting Up Demons

Even though Persona is well-known as a spin-off from the Shin Megami Tensei games, it isn’t the first one to branch off. In fact, the SMT: Devil Summoner series was created before it, with the initial games released in 1995, a full year before Revelations: Persona. However, it wasn’t until the release of Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs the Soulless Army, an RPG that opted for real-time action instead of turn-based battles like in traditional SMT games, that these spin-offs began to reach shores outside of Japan.

In comparison, the original was enjoyable, but the second installment, “Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzonoha Vs King Abaddon,” was even more captivating. It introduced a layer of strategy that made the gameplay more intriguing, allowing players to engage in negotiations with demons to earn their allegiance. Once allied, these demons could be combined with others to create stronger summoning abilities. Mastering the art of winning over these devils transformed players into formidable forces.

1. God of War 2

Developers Stick to Their Guns to Make a Phenomenal Sequel

Originally, the gameplay of God of War wasn’t as intricate as Devil May Cry. However, it excelled in simple gameplay and grand spectacle. Interestingly, Sony Santa Monica chose to release God of War 2 on the PS2 because it had a larger player base at that time. They also believed fans could play the game on the PS3 due to its backward compatibility. If they had known then what we know now…

Indeed, it could be argued that the improvement was indeed advantageous, as Sony Santa Monica skillfully maximized the potential of the engine from GoW1, resulting in a more spectacular presentation, an increase in boss battles, weapon options, diverse level designs, and enhanced gameplay compared to its predecessor. Instead of delivering a less refined, watered-down God of War experience like some competitors (such as Heavenly Sword and Dante’s Inferno), God of War 2 distinguished itself, standing among the top entries in the series, with only God of War 3 on the PS3 surpassing it, if not equaling it.

2025-01-29 08:35